Political storm brews over Barracks hail damage

By Tony Moore

One of Queensland's most important heritage buildings – named in honour of Queen Victoria - still has not been repaired 15 months after it was lashed in the November 2014 hailstorm.

Queensland is still waiting for federal government approval before repairs can start on Victoria Barracks on Petrie Terrace in inner Brisbane.

Victoria Barracks and the damage caused by storms in November 2014.
Some windows are now boarded up.

Photo: Supplied

Now Queensland's Environment Minister Steven Miles has lost patience with the Defence Department and written to Defence Minister Marise Payne asking for an explanation.

"There is considerable community concern in my electorate about the future of this prominent site, so I've written to the Federal Defence Minister in a bid to get some answers," Dr Miles said.

Victoria Barracks shown in a photo from 1868.

Photo: Supplied

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"I'm strongly urging the Commonwealth to release the two reports carried out into Victoria Barracks because there is a perception - and a disappointment – within the community that the Federal Government isn't taking the necessary and important steps to protect the buildings and ensure it isn't losing its historic value," he said.

"Many locals have expressed to me their fears the Federal Government is just letting Victoria Barracks fall down, so that they don't have to look after them."

On Wednesday Defence Media said it might be able to reply to questions "by the end of the week".

A spokesman for Senator Payne said the latest Defence White Paper, released last week, "has $66 million set aside for Victoria Barracks" over the next 10 years.

Defence minister Senator Marise Payne.

Photo: Andrew Meares

However he could not detail how the money would be used, when repairs might start and suggested asking the Defence Department's media team. That was unsuccessful.

The historically significant site was lashed by a ferocious hail storm in November 2014.

"It's now 2016 and the damage still hasn't been repaired," Dr Miles said.

"I have been advised the Department of Defence prepared a report last year into the damage, and that a request for tenders to repair the damage closed last December," he said.

Dr Miles said there was growing speculation about the future of the site.

"It is my understanding a (second) report was also prepared relating to the ongoing costs of maintaining the buildings, which could be used to inform any decision to retain, or dispose of the Barracks," he said.

"These buildings have very important historical significance to Queensland and I'm disappointed that the Commonwealth apparently don't see that and aren't safeguarding them," Dr Miles said.

Building commenced on Victoria Barracks on Petrie Terrace in 1860.

Victoria Barracks in Brisbane was first called the "Green Hills Barracks", because it was built on the hill overlooking the fledgling Brisbane settlement.

It housed the British Army's 12th East Suffolk Regiment of Foot, a military hospital, and a military magazine.

At one stage it was also home to the 50th (Queen's Own) Regiment of Foot, then the Queensland and military police from 1870 until 1885.

It was then re-classified as a military base, renamed Victoria Barracks in honour of Queen Victoria and set as the Queensland Defence Force headquarters in the early 1900s.

The western section of Victoria Barracks, which housed police, was sold and redeveloped as a retail area, "The Barracks" including a popular cinema, in 2008.